Originally Posted by
cyclinfool
I think that's very true. I find when I am letting the climb beat me I just put my head down and mash. When I am attacking a hill I am using the full stroke, pulling back and down and then up and forward - you can hear my speed play cleats clicking away as the force is going back and forth. I think I just need to focus on pedal stroke and not so much on when will I get to the top of the hill.
I guess that's my mission for today as I have a nice litte 1200' climb on tap with grades ranging from 6% to 8% - will be riding alone so I can focus on form rather than keeping with the pack.
Someone on BF suggested trying to pull your knees up toward the bars. That brings different muscles in play for me, and does help. But it wears me out pretty fast. I like to stand occasionally, too, and drop down 2 or 3 cogs. If I try to keep a faster cadence when standing, I burn out.
Really steep hills, like 18-20%, I shift into the 34-26, stand up, and pedal one stroke per second, which is 30 rpm. I have to concentrate on balance, since I'm only going 3 to 3.5 mph.